SIJHL Revokes Clydesdales' Member Franchise

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- The Superior International Junior Ice Hockey League (SIJHL) board of governors has voted to revoke the member franchise of the Duluth Clydesdales, it was announced on the league's website Tuesday evening.
A number of factors played into the decision, including Duluth not consistently being able to field a team during the 2012-13 season.
"Needless to say we're disappointed the league made the decision they did, as we had a dedicated group of players and staff ready to finish out the final month and a half," Duluth general manager Butch Williams said Tuesday in an official statement. "We're still investigating different paths, first and foremost is an appeal of the decision. Another option we're seriously considering is playing an independent schedule the rest of the season, possibly involving a mix of nearby junior teams from the MnJHL, NA3HL, NAHL, and NOJHL."
"At any rate, we do not intend for the Clydesdales to have played their final game," Williams continued. "Over the spring and summer, we'll be seriously considering all options for the Clydesdales to compete within in 2013-14 and the foreseeable future."
The Clydesdales' last contest was an 8-1 defeat to the Minnesota Wilderness on Jan. 13, with the team forced to postpone games on Jan. 19 and 20 due to a lack of players.
The SIJHL board of governors is working to rework the scheduled around the games that would have involved Duluth, and an announcement concerning that will be made in the coming days.
Posted by Zach Schneider
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